I'm so sorry for the experience you are living.  I think you should apply at other salons where you would be supported and where they would offer education.  It seems they are still viewing you as the receptionist and all around grunt.  If the salon doesn't have the walk in traffic to allow you to build a clientel you need to find a place that does.

Good Luck

I feel for you. I remember my experience as an assistant it sounded very much like yours.  Eventually i went to a chain salon and i also spent alot of money on educational classes; cutting, color etc.. I think looking for a job at a chain salon might be a good idea for you only because they are busy and you can gain alot of experience that way, you can always move on to a better salon. Also invest in education that will help build your confidence.

Lily 

I co-sign with my fellow stylists.  There are so many avenues to upgrade yourself  today and the internet should be your main focus.  Design a page (i.e. myspace) that briefly describes who you are and what you do.  When and if you can frequent trade/hair shows.  Buy dvds on cutting, coloring and any other service that interests you. As for me, I'm heavily into weaves, and lace front wigs. I also buy cutting and coloring dvds as well.  Sit in on a couple of demonstrations and speak with the platform artists to get more information. 

Break out your mannekin and get it cracking.  Most of all have confidence in yourself.  Believe in yourself and your ability. You've spent so much money and time investing in something that you love to do. Make it happen. Don't let it all go in vain. 

I've been there when I first started.  I was 21 when I got licensed and worked as a shampoo girl and was treated badly by a stylist who felt threatened. I don't know why, because I was always nervous didn't know how to do a lot of stuff.  I started there when I was on the senior floor.  I left after a couple of months and found another salon to work in with an older lady in her mid-late 50's who was very nice and caring; willing to work with me and showed me how to do a lot of things.  I also worked with another lady who was about 10 years older than me at the time that worked with me and would show me how to do things whenever I was in a jam.

In the beginning I was very discouraged. Even in school because to me it seemed like the other girls could grasp how to do styles faster than me and I began to doubt myself, but I knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to do.  Late at night I would break out my mannekin and practice until I got it right and when I did I'd go to school the next day with a big ol smile on my face.

I really got into the groove of styling when I worked @ the JC Penney Salon, which btw I was hired yesterday to come back,

I just want you to know that everything comes with time.  Be encourged.  Visit company websites such as L'oreal, Sebastian, Paul Mitchell, CHI, or whatever product line you like the best and ask if they have dvds available.  Thats what I did, and still do. I go to the hair shows when they come to town exp: The Northeast Beauty Show which comes to the meadowlands in Secaucus, NJ or the IBS @ the Jacob Javits or when I have extra loot I go to the Bronner Bros. hair show in Atlanta, GA, I frequent Sally's to see if I can get some promotional freebies as well as my community distributor to see if I can get stuff that was returned at a cheaper price or now they know me so well when I come in whatever they have left that they need to get rid of, they'll just give it to me. 

Network, sweetie. Network hard.  Start a portfolio of your work. Whether if the style is on a mannekin or a client take pictures of your work.  Get yourself out there.  You have to in order to succeed in this business. 

Join the club.  I was the coffee maker, store runner, hair/weave buyer, floor sweeper, sidewalk sweeper, dandruff scratcher LOL...And only got paid $30 a day and only worked on Saturdays!! I believe thats the initiation into the business.  Now I say if they can see now. I've come a long way baby and guess what YOU WILL TOO!!!

Keep me posted.

HAVE FAITH!!!!

xxhairdivaxx I couldn't have said it better myself.

Lily 

@shorthairedgirl,

I know in the beginning of this wonderful industry it was hard for most of us and 90% of it comes from self doubt and then discouragement sets in.  Every once in a blue moon I visit the cosmetology school I graduated from and speak with the instructors to find out which student is having a hard time and I speak with them one on one to give them encouragement and boost their self confidence.

Thanx for your co-sign, shorthairedgirl.

With my experience I would have to tell you to stay and make it work. If you go to another salon the same issues will happen because you sucess is 90% you and how you get refferals. Here are some questions Ihave to ask:

1. are you asking for refferals?

2. are you giving the clients, you are getting, your best and asking them for refferals?

3.Are you doing anything to build your business? Hand out cards lately? Go to any classes to help techinues? See some one at the grocery that you just wanted to do her hair? Did you ask her to visit you? Do you give a discount to get people to try you out?Ask for refferals?

This is coming from some one who went completely boothrent after cosmetology school and within 6 months had a full book and a waitlist of 1 month for clients wanting to get in for the 1st time. it can be done by anyone and anywhere charging anything.

"the only person that can be blamed for YOUR failure is YOUSELF!"

sorry to sound harsh but it's the truth!

and no I do not know this person and have never met them.

Thanks for the response everyone.  I'm hanging in there, got my resume together and started looking for other salons.  I haven't quit this job yet though.

In response to newtrend:

1.  I always ask for referals from my clients.  I even give a discount as a thank you to the ones who bring in a friend to see me.

2.  I give each client I get 110%.  They have my undivided attention.  Before I even get started with the consulation I offer them something to drink and make sure they are comfortable.  We don't do anything until we've had at least a 10 minute consulation and agree on what we're going to do.  We discuss home care products.  Before they leave I usually hand them at least 3 business cards with my schedule on them.  I attend every class and show I can.  I have been to 3 this year and I have another one coming up.

3.  Yes I do try to drum up business myself.  The other day I got into a conversation with someone on the street who stopped me to support her political organization.  I made a donation and she came in for a haircut the next day.  I do my best on my own.

I feel I am doing all I can on my end to keep the client coming back.  I asked some more experienced stylists I know what they thought.  All of them said to me the management should not be hiring so many people at the same time without clients.  I even recently heard she plans to hire more people, with or without a clientel.  The shop doesn't advertise or run any specials ever.  This is what happens when the management is absentee and on auto-pilot. 

You did well out of school.  I'm happy someone has and that gives me hope.  I'm doing anything different than you though and I'm in a commission based salon. There is a management and reception desk that should remember if we, the stylists, fail they don't have a job either.  Management does play a huge part in keeping clients coming too.  I know because I worked as a receptionist and a manager for years before beauty school.  I know clients who have left a salon in disgust because of bad management.  I stayed at this place after beauty school because they told me how much they wanted me there and wanted me to be their home-grown stylist.  Their total inaction and poor hiring decisions have not demonstrated that statement to be true.  I gave it 2 full years with alot of patience, faith and effort.  It didn't work out, it's time to move on, my conscience clear I did my part.     

I have found that if I'm not being pushed into being the best stylist i can be then i am bored. go out and find something new. you can take your 5 clients with you. be bold, be brave, be yourself and dont take crap from anyone. If they aren't supportive of you then it is time to move on. This is your life not theirs be the rock star you were meant to be!! and go for it!!